An advocate for both local business owners and shoppers along Central Ave. in Jersey City Heights, the Central Avenue Special Improvement District works overtime on seeing to it that commerce flourishes in the area.

“The purpose is to try to make a better shopping district than before,” said board president Michael Yun, owner of Garden State News on Central Avenue for the past 32 years, and one of CASID’s founding members.

Founded in 1992 by local merchants, CASID works with businesses and commercial property owners on Central Avenue, between Manhattan Avenue and North Street, and includes roughly 450 members, according to David Diaz, district manager.

“We service Jersey City, both the neighborhood and business community,” Diaz said. “We’re essentially like a chamber of commerce that’s specific to Central Avenue.”

The non profit organization is funded by its members, and through state UEZ funds, according to Diaz.

He added that CASID has several programs, including its street cleaning and holiday lights programs, where the streets are kept clean in front of businesses and the holiday lights along the avenue are backed and supported.

The organization also engages in advocacy work on behalf of the community, including its picketing in front of the Jersey City Parking Authority, 394 Central Ave., last year for the removal of what Diaz calls “extremely flawed” parking pay station machines along Central Avenue, and for the re-installation of old style meters, which, he says, were a better system.

“When people come shopping local, it should be something that’s convenient and welcomed,” Diaz said. “There shouldn’t be obstacles in the way.”

The organization also organizes the Everything Jersey City Festival, which takes place in May every year, along Central Avenue.

Last year, close to 40,000 people attended the festival, Diaz said.

Going forward, Diaz explained that CASID is trying to rally support from the city for maintaining the main street area, an effort which Diaz and Yun both said is vital to the future of CASID and the vitality of established businesses in their area.